Cashier on trial in shooting of customer

As Tyrone Wilkins railed, swore and pounded on the bulletproof glass inside the South Side gas station, cashier Rame Gara told him to get out or he would call the police.

Wilkins eventually left, but not before he punched and threw hot coffee in the face of the Citgo station's janitor, who was also his longtime friend and former roommate.

But today, it was Gara, 24, on trial for attempted murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon because later that same day, Gara shot Wilkins in the leg, authorities said.The puff of smoke from the semiautomatic pistol in Gara's hand was clearly visible on the security tape that prosecutors played for the jury as Gara's trial opened in Cook County Circuit Court.

In her opening statement, Assistant State's Atty. Risa Lanier told jurors that on July 11, 2007, Wilkins, 53, went to the Citgo at 71st Street and Vincennes Avenue to get coffee and a newspaper, as he did every day.

Wilkins testified that he left the station without his keys, which were taken by another customer. Wilkins said that when he returned, he grew angry with Gara for not taking care of them. He left again but later returned with a friend and confronted Gara and the janitor, Bruce Thomas, as they stood outside.

Wilkins scuffled with Gara, who went inside and got the gun, the court was told. The security tape showed that as Wilkins backed away, Gara fired the weapon.

Gara "didn't lock the door behind him. He didn't call the police," Lanier said. "He was going to settle this keys argument once and for all."

Gara's attorney called that nonsense, saying Wilkins and his companion threatened Gara just before he fired.

"That is self-defense," said attorney Sam Adams Jr. "He fires to get [Wilkins] away from him."